Caution: The contents of this article are for education purposes only. The principles described are extremely dangerous and are for military close combat training and operations only. Their application applies solely to the military.
I just was lucky enough to be shown a glimpse of your phase one DVD from my friend and Boy what a great DVD.
He told me it is not for sale yet and I was hoping you could let me know when and how I can get a copy.
He also showed me your 80 years close combat DVD, which was great.
Not many schools if any could produce such a DVD with an eighty-year history covered on a DVD in live footage and photo’s.
The phase one DVD has been made available only to the Military training wings and Todd Group depot instructors and exponents right now.
I have had requests from distributors but have to evaluate all the options and likely outcomes first.
I never wanted to make such a DVD and realize it will end up in the public domain but with so many depots and exponents around the world an exact and detailed distance training aid is needed to reduce training error.
The DVD has over 50 subject modules and 70 Chapters and covers the entire phase one unarmed offensive and counter offensive assault and you can learn the basic skills application from it with ease.
I have had hundreds of requests from all over the world for this DVD and rather than including them all I have included just this one request and answered it.
I will not make a phase two or three DVD as the exponent must earn the right by testing to learn such skills and it would be disrespectful to those that have accepted the challenge and succeeded to make it available to just anyone and everyone.
The 80 years of combative excellence however is for public sale and is selling fast and furious and the reviews and compliments are excellent and very satisfying.
Those that buy it really enjoy seeing real life footage and stills of the legendry experts in military close combat and how they were part of or influenced the Todd Group.
You can find purchasing info for this DVD from my master web site toddgroup.com
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Hi I am a military researcher from the UK.
I am researching the connection and extent of training between Fairbairn, Sykes and Applegate and have had access to the large amounts of information in the civilian world of which tends to be all copied from the same sheet or is conflicting but when you check out the sources there is no real personal link to the subjects.
I have been referred to you by military people who said if anyone can assist me it is you.
I will assist you where I can and will contact you personally on this matter.
I did take considerable notes from Col Applegate in the mid eighties but mainly on the skills and weapons aspects of his working life.
I did cover his association and thoughts on Fairbairn, Sykes and other instructors.
When Col Applegate gave me training programme information it did include some time related information in regards to his training in the UK etc.
Thank you for your inquiry.
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Hi Tank,
I am interested in introducing Todd Systems into my present skills base. I am a police officer that has decided to seek out such skills for myself as I believe we need more such skills training as a lot of what we learn are not tactically correct options up to dealing with the bad guys. Sometimes one would think its all to PC.
What would you recommend?
Hands on training is always the best to learn the basics correctly and then you could use the manuals and distance training DVDs for continuation training. We have self-defence, control and restraint and close combat distance training manuals.
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Tank,
I live in the Austin Texas area and would like to learn you system.
Do you have an instructor in my area?
No we don’t at present and the reality is that we never simply set up training for the sake of it in any location, it is a result of an individual from the area training and qualifying in New Zealand on course and then wanting to set up a Todd Group depot.
The next group International course is March 2008,details at toddgroup.com
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Tank,
Where could I go to get some basic Todd Systems CQC training in the UK? I am primarily interested in unarmed and edged weapon disarming
Go to the Todd Group depots contacts and contact Ron Evans.
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Hi Tank
Been a while since we last spoke around 8 years ago. I was wondering if you had an instructor in Melbourne as I have finished my time in the States and want to get back into training again.
Hi
Jonathan Wicken is in Victoria and can be found on the instructors and depots list at toddgroup.com
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Dear Sir, I found your site and was wondering if you knew of any worthwhile Close Combat schools on the east coast in the US?
I do not have a depot on the East Coast but personally know former expert military instructors and will contact you directly with their details.
I would like to take a bodyguard course and could you please advise of the next course and its details.
Your courses are well respected and come highly recommended and I am ready to take the long flight to your country to get such training.
Could you please provide information about your close combat training as well and any other courses you conduct.
Appreciation in advance.
Hi
We just conducted our 2007 CPP course and only run such courses every two to four years as they are International courses and considerable advanced planning for the exponents is required.
We have very few available slots in our close combat instructing calendar to accommodate such a specialist and instruction intensive course.
The course we conduct includes land air, sea and rail facets as well as all other industry required modules and as such is an expensive course to conduct.
We do have individual tuition courses when dates are available but this is a more expensive option. Our close combat twice-weekly training is also full until the last intake for 2007, which is August.
We do provide individual tuition self-defence; phase one close combat and control and restraint training by arrangement with one of our instructing team if they have available dates.
You can find more information on the training etc from our master website toddgroup.com
Thank you for your inquiry and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards
Tank
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G'Day
Do you guys have any one conducting training in the Sydney area.
Todd Group depot instructors for Australia can be found at toddgroup.com
Dave Stevens is the Chief Instructor for Australia and lives in NSW.
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Hi, I am currently working as a Close Protection Detail member in Afghanistan and am interested in attending your Executive Protection Course in Australasia. Could you please send me details as well as course dates and prices. Thankyou.
We just conducted our 2007 CPP course and only run such courses every two to four years as they are International courses and considerable advanced planning for the exponents is required.
This course included specialist training in war zone close protection instructed by Larry Jordan.
We do have individual tuition courses when dates are available but this is a more expensive option.
Thank you for your inquiry and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Regards
Tank
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Hello,
I live in South Korea and would like to learn your systems do you have people there. Are there training courses in Seoul?
Best,
Go to toddgroup.com and contact Kobus and he will be able to assist you.
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Hi Mate,
Can you recommend anyone on the Gold Coast (QLD) that can offer CQB training?
Thanks
Go to toddgroup.com and you will find Shane Gordon and the other instructors contact details.
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Dear Mr. Todd,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you and training with you in Fayetteville. I have been around some very good people and many bad ones in the Combatives world and you are the real deal! I like the way you instruct and the material you teach. It will definitely improve my skills and knowledge.
I hope to be able to train more with you in the future. Please keep me in the loop about training events in the US and abroad.
Good luck with your baton production. Let me know if there is anyway I
can become a certified instructor for that program, it is something in which I have a lot of interest.
Take care and be safe in your travels!
Sincerely,
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Dear Mr. Todd,
My , I’m a Reality based self-defense trainer in New York. Recently I was discussing your CQB knife training with a former student of yours. He was explaining to me some of the dangers of live blade training and how your advanced students would train with real sharpened blades. The way he described the training it sounds very intense and very interesting, I myself train no consent knife attacks with dulled metal training blades regularly. I’m not sure if I have the correct image of what your doing with live blade and was wondering if you could post maybe a 30 second clip of your live blade training on YouTube.com and if you already have maybe you could provide me with a link.
Thanks in advance.
Hi
I'm not sure whom you would have been talking to re CQB training.
There are more that claim to have been privy to my military programmes than that have actually been on course.
I do along with my instructing team train tens of thousands of civi's per year and they are not privy to the military skills or methods of training.
I do not instruct armed combat to anyone that has not completed their basic and advanced CQB courses and been recommended for specialist and basic level instructor training.
The exponents have to be vetted and selected from those that have passed the testing phase to receive such training and I do not make such material public.
My civi manuals and DVDs etc are only on the basic self-protection and phase one close combat phases of training.
We conduct an international CQB course annually the last week of March here at the old HQ in New Zealand that attracts exponents and instructors from around the world willing to test them selves on the training courses and testing phases to move up through the ranks and learn the advanced modules.
2007 was the 80th anniversary of my facility and a great opportunity for visiting exponents and instructors to train and rub shoulders with International military experts in CQB.
I was instructing in NC late 2006 and stopped off in NY to catch up on some of my old Buddies from the school of self defense days.
I get a lot of coms from NY and NJ to set up a Todd group depot in the area but my military instructing team and myself currently are on course 48 weeks of the year and available time is at a premium.
The best way is for overseas exponents to come on course down under and train and qualify and set up a Todd Group depot back in their location.
I also have a free on-line e-mag www.fighttimes.com that has my close combat files column in it and other CQB material for your info.
Thank you for your inquiry and if you have the name of the former exponent that briefed you on the knife combat please email it to me and I will verify it.
I do not put live weapon related or special training subject material on publicly available channels as it is not responsible or applicable for the general population.
Regards
Tank
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G'day Sir,
I'm really interested in becoming a CQB instructor, and just wondering how I go about this? Also, my grandfather was a Captain in the 'Devil's Brigade', so I have a special interest in training with Mr. Todd,
Cheers mate,
I do not have a depot in Canada at present but will contact you directly with information that will assist you.
Regards
Tank
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Hi a group of us are looking at getting involved in weekly training in some form of martial arts/self-defence and were wondering if you have classes during the week
We have weekly classes at our Dunedin HQ but there are only two exponent intakes per year and we accept a maximum of 25 exponents per intake.
The intakes are in February and August.
I recommend you apply early as we have large applicants lists well in advance.
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Hi All
I know that some of you have been or are doing some off-training sessions with rugby teams. I wondered whether those who are doing this could share the types of things they are doing with them. We have been approached to do some training for a rugby team and just wanted to see what others are doing.
We have provided training for Rugby league clubs in the past but of late have not had the manpower or man-hours to do anything other than our Military CQB training and civilian close combat training.
Basically we put the players through our combative toughener and sickener phases of training.
We took them outside their comfort zone and introduced them to activities that were foreign to them.
We also provided team building training and worked on their psychological conditioning and development to deal with high intensity and stress situations.
We also demonstrated to them combative skills that could be used to achieve similar outcomes in sport like for tackling etc.
Many drills from military close combat training and specific skills stands as well as practical handling exercises were employed to make them more ready in a wide range of situations and to increase the individuals players levels of commitment and confidence.
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Are you running another seminar in North Carolina, U.S.A.? If so, could you please send me information on this event?
I am a police officer in the area.
The next Association convention is in New Zealand in November 2008 but I will forward you member’s contacts in your general area.
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Hello,
A few Years ago I was living on the Gold Coast in Australia and met people who suggested I have a go at training with him in the Todd Group style. Unfortunately due to work commitments at the time I was unable to, and have done some travelling since which has also restricted me from training.
Looking at your web sites I saw that there is a person in Germany, where I am currently on a year working holiday, who trains in the Todd Group style. I have not trained in any combative style previously other than a few boxing lessons just for fitness.
I would like to ask what requirements there are to commence Todd Group training, and if as an Australian speaking very very little German whether I would be eligible to partake in that training while I’m over here?
I'm currently living in Nienburg but would not mind travelling regularly for this opportunity.
Thanks for your time
Contact Ken Osterich from our depots list at toddgroup.com and he will be able to assist you.
He speaks good English and is committed to CQB.
Regards
Tank
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Dear Geoff,
I'm coming to the end of my time in NZ and I will be flying home to the UK in just
over a week’s time. I wanted to say thank you again for the training you gave
me over the 3 weeks I spent in Dunedin.
I have been touring NZ since completing the courses.
I intend to remain current in the techniques taught on the course and so I
would like to buy your manuals and DVDs.
I will contact Ron Evans on my return home and train from him.
Good luck and safe travels stay ready for anything and everything always.
Tank
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I recently purchased a copy of the 80 years of combative excellence of the Todd Group and what a great record of both history and excellence it is.
I was at Otago University many years back when you had a visit from a specialist military and police trainer that was on a world tour of specialist instructors.
He was amazed at just how specialist the Todd Group was and said that this was his last stop of his one year travels and it had turned out the best was kept till last.
I think there are many people out there that don’t know the long and excellent history of the Todd Group.
Made me proud to have trained in such an awesome facility and with such expert people.
Thanks and yes I remember the gentleman who was from Canada and he was a great proponent of close combat and tactical training.
He had researched the former Shanghai police and was an official guest of several countries close combat training units.
He had been to the UK throughout South East Asia the United States Europe and Australia before arriving in NZ.
I spent only two days with him before he headed for home and he was a top line exponent and instructor.
He was surprised at the long history of the facility and took hundreds of pictures of the history from Harry Baldock right up until and including his visit.
He also provided me with the research material he had collected as an official military visitor on his travels.
He had no former martial arts or combat sports background and was purely combative trained and qualified and was a confident and competent expert.
His control and restraint skills were exceptional and even after so many years and with the hundreds of visitors we get annually I can remember this individual as if it was yesterday.
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I was wondering what structure the Todd Group uses business wise and how it has become and maintained its global status in the field.
My business model could hardly be described as a business model as such as I don’t collect any revenue from the world wide depots and my management accountant says its probably the worst financial based model he has come across.
But it’s the best as far as maintaining high standards go.
The way it works is simple and goes like this.
The Dunedin HQ is in charge and control of the doctrine training and management packages and the testing phases.
HQ members pay a minimum fee to train at the facility and there are no other hidden charges.
There can be no charges for testing as it must be earned and conducted independently by the HQ staff only.
Members that are trained on courses by the HQ instructing team charge minimum course fees for such training.
Members that have qualified to be depot and individual tuition instructors in their home locations keep any proceeds from conducting such training as the Todd Group is not a franchise.
Members can purchase any equipment or distance learning publications or productions at reduced rates if they chose.
Depot instructors must vet their exponents and instruct only the Todd Systems skills in the said training to ensure that the exponents have the best chance at successful testing.
All publicity and press releases of any medium must be cleared by the HQ to protect individuals and the organizations privacy and security considerations.
Members must respect the chain of command and code of conduct.
This is the basic outline of how the depot instructors are governed and operate.
The reason why it has worked so well is simple, maintaining high standards and being part of the original and official organization.
There are no egos involved as it’s all about self-improvement and surpassing set standards and there is no chance of promotion or any form of advancement unless you prove your self and are part of the official authority.
The Todd Group makes its income from being a provider of specialist military close combat training instructors and related goods and services providers.
The HQ and the world wide depots are the means of recognising future instructors and then putting them through the courses required to become qualified instructors on the training team.
There are many strings now to the Todd Group bow and the pace never slows but it has taken eighty years to achieve our current status and when you set your business and operating ethos on high standards over high returns it takes time to achieve but its worth it and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Hi
What are your thoughts on protective suits for military CQC training?
Personally I don’t use them, as I believe you should train as you operate and that means in battle dress not a protective suit.
However for some forms of close combat training I use tactical lower leg protectors to avoid injuries such as foot drop.
I allow mouth guards for toughener and sickener phases and like the brain pad upper and lower type mouth guard.
I in thirty years of close combat training have not found a need for protective suits and in fact find them time consuming to suit up exponents and can cause excessive contact to joints that cant be clearly identified under the protectors.
They create a greater body mass that can be cumbersome for some tactical training.
We require full battle dress and kit for our operators during training and to put that on over protective suits would be impractical.
What we do is utilise controlled aggression and up the anti and increase the intensity as the individuals become more competent and this negates the need for full protective suits.
Train the way you fight as the legends put it.
Interested in Close Combat Training? Todd Group Depots are located throughout New Zealand and at various overseas locations.
For more information on Todd System of Close Combat see the following books, dvds and cds:
- Close Combat Books
The Do's and Don'ts of Close Combat – Tactical C&R – Control and Restraint – No Nonsense Self Defence – Military Close Combat Systems Phase One – Combative Masters Of The 20th Century - Close Combat DVDs
Self Defence of the Elite – 80 Years of Combative Excellence – Primary Option Control & Restraint – Military Unarmed Combat – Phase 1 - Close Combat CDs
Technique To Command – Combative Code of Conduct
